Milner hopes success continues

England midfielder James Milner admits the success of Manchester City and Chelsea over the last few weeks can only be of benefit to the national team.

City won the Premier League with two late goals against QPR while Chelsea claimed the Champions League title last Saturday and Milner admits the confidence gained from such triumphs can rub off on England.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the friendly with Norway on Saturday, Milner said: "Our players are going to the tournament high on confidence. Winning is a habit and you want to get into those habits of winning trophies and get into that winning mentality."

He added: "Players have had a taste and had a good season, others are at clubs that haven't won the Premier League or Champions League but have had good seasons individually or positive seasons with their clubs. It's only a good thing for us as a team going out there to Poland."

Saturday's game will be the first under Roy Hodgson, who was appointed as Fabio Capello's successor at the start of the month.

Milner said: "We've had a good couple of (training) sessions, a bit tough. He wanted to get across how he wants us to play."

Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott also believes the recent successes enjoyed by his side and Chelsea could prove beneficial for England's Euro 2012 bid.

He said: "It can bode well for the country and the team, obviously coming in off the back of the Premier League title confidence will be high at the moment, and it will be the same for the Chelsea boys."

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Meanwhile, the defender did not flinch from addressing the subject of racism in Ukraine, days after members of Theo Walcott's family revealed they would not be travelling to the tournament because of their concerns. Lescott said his family would not be going either, although not for the same reason.

Of whether he is worried about racism, Lescott said: "As a player no - you get on with it, it won't be the first time if it happens. My family won't be going out there, not for any particular reason. If things are said in the crowd you just have to deal with it and address it after."

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